Heads Will Roll

One of the fun cultural things we did while we were in the Yucatan penninsula was visit Mayan ruins. I guess it was technically the only cultural thing we did while we were there, other than the day I went shopping at the "Hacienda" and bargained for a cute shell bracelet that may or may not have been made locally. Most people visit the ruins at Tulum, which are beautifully situated on the ocean. Since we had rented a car and were halfway there when we visited the cenotes, we decided instead to go to the less touristy site of Coba. "Coba is estimated to have had some 50,000 inhabitants (and possibly significantly more) at its peak of civilization, and the built up area extends over some 80 km." states Wikipedia. Mexican cultural sites are nothing like our national parks or historic areas in the U.S. At Coba, you pull into a gravel parking lot and pay $4 to park. We walked up to what seemed to be a place that sold maps, but they said "no maps". When we entered right away the local guides offered their services. Planning a speedy trip through we waved them off and continued on. A few hundred yards in, there is an area full of worn looking bicycles. We are told the largest 'pyramid' is several kilometers in. Looking ahead at the dusty, hot trail (it was near 90 degrees) we shelled out the 60 pesos ($6 US) for 2 bikes and started riding.
Now is when I have to admit that most of what I know about the Mayan culture I learned from watching "Apocalypto", a movie rated R for "sequences of graphic violence and disturbing images", and my Frommer's Guide book. So, not much. Suffice it to say that the experience would have been more historically enriching if I'd known what I was looking at. There were no nice national park service signs (you've got to check out that link) telling you facinating stuff like "ahead on your right you will see the largest specimen of igneous rock in the state of Arizona formed 20 million years ago".

I remembered seeing pictures describing the ball court, where my son later informed me games were played and the losing team would be put to death! And the Tigers think they're under pressure!











Still, we managed to get directions to the largest pyramid in the group, Nohoch Mul meaning 'large hill'. It is 138 feet high and is the highest in the Yucatan peninsula.

Here is my
"yes, I'm going to climb
this baby!" look.











Going up was hot and work, but easy.
















A sweet French couple took our picture.
Realization after I got down....I'm sitting on the spot where they cut off people's heads!

















The trip down is a little more intimidating....












Stopping for a rest.





















Dessert was so worth it that night!